Respiratory Care Practitioner II

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research, and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. We seek staff committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality, and trust that are integral to our mission.

The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked for academic research, quality standards, and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in comprehensive services, medical advancement, and patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Performs respiratory therapy with an understanding of the indications, contraindications, hazards, and precautions associated with all delivered therapy.
• Assesses the pulmonary status of patients receiving respiratory care and makes recommendations for therapy.
• Administers medical gases, aerosolized medications, and provides therapies to maintain bronchopulmonary hygiene per protocol.
• Supports ventilator-dependent patients during intra-hospital transport.
• Sets up, maintains, and monitors mechanical ventilatory support.
• Performs airway clearance and lung volume expansion therapies and instructs patients regarding follow-up care.
• Functions as a member of the cardiac arrest, trauma, and other emergency teams as indicated.
• Attends and participates in physician-led patient rounds, as appropriate.
• May perform ECGs, ABGs, venipuncture, and other pulmonary or cardiovascular procedures as needed.
• May provide therapist-driven protocol assessments, smoking cessation education, and sleep testing as needed.

Requirements

• One of the following:
  • Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy, a related field, or the equivalency.
  • Associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy plus two (2) years of work experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system (to be obtained within 30 days of hire).
• Current licensure to practice as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in the State of Utah.
• Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential with the National Board of Respiratory Care.

Skills

• Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions as outlined above.
• Ability to provide care to the populations served.
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.
• Ability to transport, set up, operate, and maintain support machines.
• Ability to work effectively with other healthcare professionals with conflicting treatment philosophies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support card or Neonatal Resuscitation Program within one (1) month of hire.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position involves intensive work that may exert up to 100 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects, such as medical equipment or patients while providing medical care.

• Carrying, climbing, color determination, crawling, far vision, lifting, listening, manual dexterity, near vision, pulling and/or pushing, reaching, sitting, speaking, standing, stooping and crouching, tasting or smelling, walking.